Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-06
miscellaneous.
Burying His Five Sons.

A Lycoming county farmer, blessed by
the possession of broad acres and fat
cattle, and fatter cash account, had given
his five sons-more precious than all else
beside-that the Union might be pre-
served. His name was Rankin. His
wife was dead and his boys were his only
soace, but when the war against his coun-
Try was declared he felt as did Volumnia,
he mother of COriolanus, when she said !:
Had a dozen sons, each in my love
alike, had rather have II die nobly tor
their country than one voluptuously surfeit
ont of action" So the Rankin boys went
to confront grim-visaged war. The life
blood of two of them made more fertile
the rank growth of the Peninsula and
their bodies left unclaimed amid the
thousands who had gone down in the
shock of battle. The bowed but not
broken father came to the governors
Office in Harrisburg with his tale of Woe
Andrew Curtin never turned deaf ear
to such as he. He said: You are too
old man to 60 after your sons bodies.
will send messenger for them, and
you can rest assured that you will be en-
abled to give them burial"
And this was done.
After the second battle of Manassas the
aged father again entered the Executive
Chamber, and. without saving word,
seated himself. The governor recognized
him at once. and thought, Can it be that
this old man mas been afflicted again?"
He babe him approach. The visitors
voice was broken, but his tears did not
tall as he said: Governor, another of
them has gone" For amoment Mr. Curtin
could not speak. He silently wrung the
horny hand of the despoiled father. When
he found voice he said:
You must not 90. will send for him.
You shall see him again"
And this was done.
When news of the battle of Gettysburg
reached Harrisburg, Governor Curtin
travelled rapidly across country and view
ed that memorable conflict. After its con-
clusion he returned to Harrisburg and was
seated late at night in his room when again
Rankin entered without word and silent
~ seated himself upon chair. "My
Cod thought Mr.. Curtin, sit cannot be
that the blow has fallen upon this old man
again" He could not bring himself to
ask the question, and for full IS minutes
the two men sat in their room, their heads
uPob tuCli HCllucI uttCICu u
word. At last the old man said, as he
steadied his voice Governor, the other
two are gone"
"The other twop This is terrible"
"Yes. governor, the other two. They
have taken them all"
He wished pass TO enter the lines that
he might take home his silent sons. "You
are too DID," said the anguished governor.
81 will send for them and they shall be
taken home"
And this was done.
After Governor Curtin had returned to
this country at the close of bis five years.
residence at the court of Russia, he was
in Philadelphia when it was init
mated to him that Mr.. Rankin,
who was still alive. would be highly de-
lighted if his benefactor would pay him a
visit when the ex-minister was on his way
to his home in Centre county Mr.. Cur
tin said he would comply with the wish.
and when he reached the railroad station
nearest to the Lycoming county farmers
home he found the old man waiting for
him with a carriage.
That evening the people of the sur
rounding country lat Mr.. Rankin's bidding
fiocked to do honor to the ex-governor.
The next morning after partaking of a
breakfast such as only Pennsylvania
farmhouse can produce. the aged agricul-
turist invited Mr.. Curtin to join him in q
walk. He led the way to wooded knoll
near the house, and atop which was a
beautifully sodded Enclosure, surrounded
by an iron railing. Within it were five
mounds and five headstones. The old
man pointed toward them and simply
said: Governor there they lie." Both men
bowed their heads and neither uttered
word. In few moments Rankin turned
away with CHEEKY remark about the sur
rounding country. and from that moment
during the two days festivities that sue
ceeded Mr.. Curtin's arrival, the desolate
father never again referred to his Sleep
ing sons.-Phild. Press.